Comments

In Love With Salani Colonialism - I just love Salani's surf camp, and the fact that he had the audacitiy to name some nearby reefs after himself. The Samoans just love it when a white man comes and really digs in and starts a business on their island. Too bad more people can't go out there, pretend they discovered the place, build a resort, market the place big-time, then shuttle wealthy travelers out to the surf. Yea- Salani is a real pioneer.

By Anonymous
, 12-08-2003

In Love With Samoa - I've had many positive experiences in Samoa and at the Salani Surf Resort. As an older woman (almost 50) it is comforting to feel safe when traveling alone. During my multiple stays at Salani over the last few years I've had a clean bed, excellent food, good company (staff, villagers, and other guests), and a worry free/no hassel vacation. Because I surfed when I was younger I really enjoy seeing the amazing swells/waves come through both Salani Right and Lefts. I don't know about politics and I don't care for gossip so all I can tell you is - if you want warm water, great weather, good surf, and friendly people go to Samoa. Surf resorts certainly aren't for everyone; but for these old bones a little bit of comfort goes a long way and I'm willing to pay a bit more to truly relax and enjoy my much earned vacation. I've always left Salani with a good feeling, but I think anyone would feel that way about Samoa no matter where they stayed.

By anonymous
, 11-08-2003

Scott - Thanks to Not A Wuss for the great idea. I'll definitely take some, plus sparkly pencils and lollies.

We're spending next to no time on Upolo. We're going to adventure and explore, not have locals wait on us.

By brokerdealer
, 10-08-2003

Contention on Salani - Interesting reading about Salani. I was there for a week in fall 2002 and had a pretty good go. Not on par with other South Pacific destinations like Fiji or Tahiti but worth a visit if you plan on multiple visits to the South Pacific. Low points - inconsistent surf, shallow reefs, complex (in a good way) culture. Specifically on Salani, cool staff and great food. Boatman like to surf too so they add a bit to the crowd at Salani Right when it's good. Generally a good experience but I'm not going back. Stay clear of the FaFas

By Not a wuss surfer!
, 08-08-2003

Ballons! - Advice for anonymous. May sound trite and silly, but take balloons for the kids! Cheap, easily packed and the Samoan kids just love them beyond belief. But take a lot as you will go through them quite quickly. And to the satisfied Salani customer, you are a wuss and a wanker! You just can't deal with Samoan surf conditions and need someone to hold your hand the whole time. You are a cry baby and a wanker. The reason you didn't see any independents out in the water is because they know anough to stay away from Salani. Great wave but way too many holiday and kook surfers there. The real surfers were off exploring, surfing more remote breaks, staying in villages, doing it more or less on their own thank you very much. But hey, if you need babysitting while you surf some heavy waves (you probably actually sat in the boat or channel the whole time) then more power to you! Glad you enjoyed your holiday.

By anonymous
, 04-08-2003

satisfied salani customer - What a load of self-righteous bleating. I just got back from 12 days at Salani. Great food, great accommodation, good surf but frustrating winds - would be epic beyond epic if you got it on the right day. All in all a great holiday - and I sure as hell appreciated having a boat in the channel while surfing those reefs - heavy, HEAVY water...

Highly recommended for those who want a surfing holiday that doesn't involve sleeping on the beach and shitting into a hole in the ground.

And no, I don't agree with "exclusive access". I didn't actually see any of that in Samoa. It seemed that anyone who wanted to launch themselves into a crooked reef pass with a 10 knot outward current even at slack tide was welcome to. Personally I'd rather shell out the dosh for a support crew.

And to all those who rant against the surf travel industry and advocate going it alone without a package like Salani offers - why didn't I see any of you in the water?

By Scott
, 01-08-2003

Goodies - Hi all, any tips on unusual things to take? Things that made your trip to Samoa that much more enjoyable? Thinking about binoculars, video camera, treats for the kids etc. Any help appreciated.

By Roots
, 31-07-2003

Listen to AMSAMSURF - Stoked to see some people share my views regarding Samoa. Waterways/Salani is trying to take over the place, telling lies they think will stay under the radar, but thankfully people like "amsamsurf" will speak the truth. Read Waterway's post by Murph, then try and tell me these a-holes are a positive mainstay in Samoa. Oh, and just so you all know, they do attempt to keep people away from "their" waves by force. Murph, can you say that your boatman didn't go harrassing visiors trying to surf Salani last year? There was more than one incident so I have witnesses. Oh, maybe now that people are over your intimidation tactics they paddle out anyway, but we saw your true colors. ANYONE who supports waterways should realize many of the places they run resorts at have sucessfully applied these tactics, keeping low-key traveling surfers from the best breaks(Fiji,Ments,& attempts at Tuamoto's, New Cal, and now Samoa). Philosophically speaking, do you think surfers with the most money, regardless of their skills, should have exclusive access to the best, most consistent waves in the South Pacific? Check out cloudbreak/surrounding waves, now entertaining fat longboarders, networking chicks, and resort CEO's ONLY. Do you really want that in Samoa? Maybe the comparison is a stretch, but buisness is buisness, and Waterways promoted resorts will absolutely do everything to make us all pay to paddle, even if they project an ecotourism friendly "safety first" aura.

By Columbus
, 23-07-2003

Looking forward to it - Having done our research, read the books, fixed the dings and booked a jeep, my party is really amping for two weeks in Samoa. If we get great surf, that will be brilliant; if not, then too bad, but I'm absolutely certain that whatever we're doing instead of surfing, it will be a cultural and tropical experience to relish. We're roughing it, apart from the Jeep: no tours, no resorts, no over-priced beers; just finding fun and learning along the way.

Reading this BB has made me glad to have that adventurous attitude, rather than staying in Salani or Samoana. The best experiences I've while on overseas surfing trips have had nothing to do with surfing.

By anonymous
, 19-07-2003

samoas shit anyway - i had spent 2 weeks in samoa and was staying at Samoana Resort and the hole time i was there, there were trade winds and wrong swell direction. we had about 6-7 surfs at coconuts and boulders but the wave went for like 20-50 metres, it was shithouse. i dont know why theres surf resorts in Samoa, samoa surfs shithouse and im never going back there because you can pay all the money to go overseas and your catching shit when you can catch more in Bali or Maldives or Fiji.